On my blog I have a downloads menu item. If you click on that there are a number of papers that I have written that can be downloaded.

One paper titled “Negative Health and Environmental Impacts of Reusable Shopping Bags” deals with the health issues more extensively than you did in the article above. For example, in addition to bacteria, viruses and virus transmission with reusable shopping bags could make other sick. Also, people who have AIDS or a suppressed immune system may be more sensitive to bacteria in reusable bags then people who have normal immune systems. About 20% of the population fit in this category.

Also, when bag bans are implemented people always complain about all those plastic bags that end up in the landfill. But they have never stopped to calculate all the stuff going into a landfill after a plastic carryout bag ban compared to before. It would surprise you to know that 3.5 times the amount of material goes into the landfill post ban than pre ban. Those plastic carryout bags are sure looking good. see my article titled “Fact Sheet – Landfill Impacts” for the details and the calculations.

There is much more.

The gentleman in question is also known for backing an entity (“Respect Washington”) that tried to create immigration restriction laws in our state. I have friends in his neighborhood who tell me that he is a very red state Republican in many of his views but seems pretty intelligent and principled in his day-to-day treatment of his neighbors–they think it’s a shame he goes on these odd ill-informed rampages when he obviously has talents that could be used far more constructively.

Hi Sophia,

Good grief. Recent Seattle news coverage notes that Keller’s anti-ban campaign is not being funded by the plastic bag industry – yet.

I just don’t get it. San Francisco banned plastic bags in 2007 and right away saw (non-biodegradable) plastic bag litter in the city decrease by 18%. China, the world’s leading consumer of plastic bags, officially banned them throughout the entire country in 2008 and, in the years since, has reduced its bag consumption by half, saving 1.6 million tons of oil in the process. World cities like London and Paris have already banned plastic bags – maybe it’s time for Mr. Keller to face reality?

Thanks for the heads up!

http://www.saveourchoice.us/

Feel free to educate him as you see fit…

Thanks for commenting, and for your efforts to protect the environment in SF and Seattle. 🙂 Keep up the good work!
Cheers,
C.